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In order to familiarize fans with some of the top names in the 2013 NFL Draft, Chargers.com will be highlighting a different prospect each weekday leading up to the first day of the draft on April 25th.

We continue the series with a scouting report of Florida strong safety Matt Elam.

If you’re looking for a big heavy hitter out of your strong safety position, then Matt Elam is your guy. The Florida junior is famous for his teeth-rattling hits that have become a staple of his each week.

Elam is coming off a tremendous season where he totaled 76 tackles, 11 for a loss, four interceptions, two sacks and one forced fumble. It’s also important to note that many scouting reports point toward Elam coming through in clutch situations. When playing under the spotlight, he continuously came through with his best games, perhaps most notably in the Sugar Bowl when he led the defense with a season-high 11 tackles and one sack.

In addition to being a punishing hitter, Elam is a versatile athlete. He excels both in the box as an extra defender against the run as well as playing deep in coverage as a ball hawk. At times the Gators used him in press coverage against slot receivers, and he more than held his own with his aggressive, physical technique.

On the other hand, some are wary of how Elam will translate to the NFL as he is a bit on the smaller size. Measuring in at just 5-foot-10, 208-pounds, some aren’t convinced his punishing style of play will stack up against the bigger bodies in the NFL. Nonetheless, Elam has put together a strong three-year career on tape and may very well be the number one strong safety selected in April.